Wednesday, November 24, 2010

In 1971 actor Peter Cushing recorded a fully unabridged reading of Arthur Conan Doyle's THE RETURN OF SHERLOCK HOLMES for the Royal National Institute for the Blind. The recording has previously only been available to registered blind users of RNIB audio recordings. In February 2011 Cosmic Hobo Productions will be releasing the first volume (of the massive 13 hour collection) to the general public. The release has been digitally re-mastered from the original recording, and includes new sleeve notes by Holmes expert David Stuart Davies.

Cushing gives a masterful and highly dramatic performance that showcases his talent for mimicry and various accents making this far more than a standard reading. At times he seems to almost be channeling his BBC Sherlock Holmes co-star Nigel Stock's voice when playing Watson. Highly recommended!

Volume 1 will be released on February 7, 2011. To pre-order via Amazon UK click here. Alternately, order direct from Cosmic Hobo before January 31 and use the discount code 'moriarty' at checkout to receive a 25% discount.

If you have an interest in actor Peter Cushing, you might also enjoy Cushing's reading of his second autobiographical book PAST FORGETTING, which is currently available from Cosmic Hobo Productions. Originally released in 1988, Cushing’s own reading of Past Forgetting has long been out of print. Now on CD for the first time, this edition includes a bonus documentary featuring some of those who worked with Cushing, and new sleeve notes by The League of Gentlemen’s Mark Gatiss.